increase font size
WHILE IT IS good news the inquiry into the whey protein incident concludes there was no failure with New Zealand's dairy regulatory system it confirms what we already knew, says Michael Barnett, chairman of the NZ Infant Formula Exporters Association.
"We do have world best regulations. We are world leaders in whey production. Within the terms of reference of the inquiry to look into our dairy food safety system the report is a good outcome."
However in the association's view the incident was never a failure of our dairy regulations. "It was a failure to manage the situation and the reputational damage it caused New Zealand. This report will not fix that failure," says Barnett.
"I remain greatly concerned that our members were not part of the incident yet have ended up as collateral damage. Our members' products were taken off the shelves in China and I cannot see anything specific that will help get them back in to the market and rebuild the confidence of consumers."
Barnett says he would like to believe a further investigation being undertaken by the Ministry of Primary Industries looking at the question of what happened and the regulator's response in managing the incident might provide some answers.
Meanwhile we need to get this good news into the Chinese media and officials channels with some urgency but also some care. "I am a little concerned that even though there was no failure with our regulatory system we have nonetheless come up with a report that has 29 recommendations – to improve a system that is already proven to be among the best in the world. This could be misinterpreted."
He agrees an important step to restoring consumer confidence in China was for the Prime Minister and senior ministers to take this good news directly to counterparts in China.
OPINION: As soon as RNZ realised MP Andrew Hoggard's sister worked for Dairy Companies Association of NZ (DCANZ) and was, shock horror, lobbying government on behalf of its members, it wasted no time accusing him of not managing conflicts of interests.
Fonterra says it takes the ongoing threat of 'adverse cyber action' extremely seriously.
Despite the turmoil in global markets, Fonterra is continuing with a dual track process to divest its multi-billion dollars consumer businesses.
Fonterra says the US continues to be an important market for New Zealand dairy and the co-op.
Fonterra has named Elizabeth (Liz) Coutts the chair of Mainland Group, the proposed divestment entity of the co-operative’s consumer business.
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
OPINION: The world is bracing for a trade war between the two biggest economies.
OPINION: Should Greenpeace be stripped of their charitable status? Farmers say yes.
OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.
